Community Outreach: Women.Design.Build Potluck & Garage Sale June 3, 7-10 PM

Women.Design.Build Potluck & Garage Sale, June 3 2010, 7 - 10 pm Austin, TX - On Thursday June 3, 2010, Women.Design.Build will host an evening of discussion, inquiry and curiosity about learning the trades of design and construction.

Are you curious about learning home improvement, woodworking, or green design methods? Do you have a general interest in design and building but are not quite sure how to get started?

The mission of Women.Design.Build is to provide the women of Austin the opportunity to engage in design and construction activities via workshops and community projects. Before we can move any further, we need to know what the community's design.build interests are. To explore your interests, learn more about our efforts, enjoy homemade eats, and peruse the garage sale items, come to the Austin Green Art Warehouse on the evening of June 3, 2010.

Located on the Austin State Supported Living Center campus, the Austin Green Art warehouse is rich with materials varying from a collection of animal vertebrae to an array of antique machinery. These items will be sold at the event in our effort to continue to build-out the warehouse. The potluck is optional, but feel free to bring your favorite dish.

The community's insight is critical to our development: we ask participants to come inquisitive, enthusiastic, and hungry. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, please visit www.womendesignbuild.org

* * *

In August of 2009, founders, Christina Mirando and Nicole Joslin met at a community volunteer meeting. The two have been developing Women.Design.Build ever since.

Christina received her B.A. from Hampshire College with a concentration in film and sculpture. She resides in Austin, TX where she works for a local handywoman company.

Nicole received her Bachelors of Architecture from the University of Oklahoma and works as an Architecture Intern for Boka Powell.

Event Details:

Time & Date: Thursday, June 3, 2010, 7 - 10pm
Location: Austin Green Art Warehouse, 2203 West 35th Street, Austin, TX 78703
RSVP: womendesignbuild.eventbrite.com

Indigenous Youth Cultural Arts Leadership Program: Summer Camps 2010

Alma de Mujer Center for Social Change in collaboration with LifeWorks is hosting the Indigenous Youth Cultural Arts Leadership Program. This program is a two-week long summer camp for young girls and boys, focusing on Indigenous life ways, arts, and culture. These summer camps contribute to Austin's cultural diversity by educating future cultural arts practitioners. In addition, camp instructors are local Indigenous artists and other artists of color who contribute to the creative industries of Austin and who understand and live the value of art and culture.


The camps serve children between the ages of 7 to 16, and are fully supervised with expert counselors and instructors. There are no application fees for participants. Drop off and pick up points will be located in East Austin.

Girls' Camp: June 14 - 25, 2010
June 24, 2010 Field trip to the University of Texas
June 25, 2010 Camp performance at Alma de Mujer

Boys' Camp: July 6 - 16, 2010
July 15, 2010 Camp performance at Alma de Mujer
July 16, 2010 Field trip to Volente Beach


The application process opens June 1st; interested folks can email us at almaprograms@gmail.com.

UPDATE: "Chickasaw Women Past & Present" Event has moved

Chukma Chickasaws and Friends of Chickasaws:

Well we have gotten rained out of the wonderful site due to heavy rains there this morning already. The program will go on and will be at the

Grace Community Bible Church
10511 Salt Mill Hollow
Austin, Texas 78750

A map is attached and a more detailed map to the site can be found at:



http://maps.google.com/maps?q=10511+Salt+Mill+Hollow+78750&hl=en&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=10511+Salt+Mill+Hollow,+Austin,+Williamson,+Texas+78750&ll=30.455777,-97.82218&spn=0.027486,0.066047&z=15

There will not be a need to bring chairs. But we will start the Potluck supper at 5pm followed by the presentation of Chickasaw Women Past and Present.

If you have any questions, please call me at 512-258-7919.

If you can not make this event, remember that you are all invited to the Chickasaw Council Meeting at 1pm at 1009 East 11th Street in Austin. It is just off of IS-35.

Hope to see you at both events.

Yakoke,

Gene (Nashoba) Thompson

Chickasaw Storyteller "Chickasaw Women- Past & Present" Speech and Potluck May 15

Chukma Chickasaws and the Friends of Chickasaws:

We will have an rare opportunity on the evening of May 15th to hear Chickasaw Hall of Fame Member Pauline Brown and her Daughter LaDonna - a well known Chickasaw historian and artisan talk about the strong role of Chickasaw Women in our Culture. The event will begin with a pot luck supper, followed by the presentation of the Browns and an opportunity to discuss Chickasaw Women of the Past and Present. The program will be held out doors under a canopy of large trees. Bring your folding chairs and a dish to share. Please RSVP to cccctx@gmail.com by Thurs, May 13th if you will be able to join us.

Additionally, the Browns will be joining us for our next local meeting to be held the next day (May 16th) at the UT Building at 1009 E. 11th Street in Austin. For detailed instructions on how to get there go to http://www.cccctx.org .

Please come join us.

Workshop and Performance Schedule for Momma! I Love You

Workshops for Momma!

Tai Chi 12pm-130pm

How to make essential oils from herbs 12pm -1pm

Free Wellness Screenings 1pm-4pm

Photography lesson 1pm-2pm & 2pm-3pm

Belly Dancing 2pm – 3pm

Songwriting 101 2pm-3pm

Plant walk and craft 3pm-4pm

Five Benefits of Pursuing the Interests You Always Wanted to Try but Never Had Time To 3pm-4pm

Paintings by Alonso Rey 4pm-5pm

Mass Yoga participation by East Side Yoga 5pm-6pm

Performances

Las Rafikis 12:30pm-1pm

Margo Valiante 1pm-2pm

Dawni McCray 2:30pm-3:30pm

Suzanna Choffel 4pm-5pm

We can't wait to see you there! Music, food, dancing and workshops... what an awesome way to spend time with your momma this Mother's Day.

Besitos,

Alma de Mujer Center for Social Change

May 1st Work Day

A few folks decided to spend their May Day here with us at Alma de Mujer and show their love to the land by working on the outdoor stage, tending to the garden, and making structural improvements on the bridge.


It was a beautiful May Day out on the land, and it was wonderful to have volunteers young and old spend the day out on the land with us. Spring has been such a blessing here, with the Medicine Wheel Garden in full luscious bloom. Most exciting to see was the outdoor stage, which had fallen into disrepair, being fixed up by our volunteers in preparation for our Momma! I Love You Festival for mother's day on Sunday May 9. We have been looking forward to this event for weeks, and cannot wait to share our photos and stories!



Some of the volunteers during the day were students with the UT School of Architecture, who came out to offer their knowledge and energy in physically putting in a natural stone and mud ramp on either sides of the bridge entrance, and wire hand railings along the bridge for better support. These students were not afraid to break out a sweat for this project, and Alma thanks them for their time and strength.

There to guide the student architects were two local architects and teachers, founder and director of Women.Design.Build Nicole Joslin, and director of Design Build Alliance Scott Ross. Their expertise was invaluable to the project, while their organizations- focusing on community grassroots building and empowerment- are groups Alma is proud to work along side with.



It was an amazing work day here at Alma, and as always we love and thank our friends and family for taking the time to help us beautify the land for continued use by our animal and human community.

Volunteer Work Day! Sunday 10AM - 2PM

Volunteer Outdoor Workday at Alma

Come join us for an Outdoor Work Day to beautify the land in thanks of Spring!

Sunda, May 2, 2010 10AM - 2PM

Bring your water, sunscreen, and work gloves!

Questions? Contact Maribel at almaprograms @ gmail.com

Momma! I Love You Mother's Day Event May 9

Momma! I Love You Mother’s Day Experience

Mother’s are subject to what Mother’s Day offers. But, imagine a retreat on 22 acres of sacred land packed with activities, workshops, relaxation techniques, food, games and more for the entire family. Alma de Mujer, Northwest Austin’s own indigenous women’s compound is hosting this year’s Momma! I Love You, an interactive day of family-friendly performances, workshops, games, outdoor activities, foods and music presented by Bemba Entertainment.

Momma! Takes place at Alma de Mujer Center for Social Change, home of the Indigenous Women’s Network since 1996. Alma has provided IWN with office and program space and has operated as a non-profit meeting and retreat center where Indigenous people from the Austin community and progressive organizations could gather to re-energize and continue their work promoting social change.

Bemba Entertainment is committed to bringing our mothers and their families together to celebrate a relaxing day in their honor with proceeds going towards a good cause. This event will treat and pamper our mothers, as well as garner awareness for the Indigenous Women’s Network, Alma de Mujer Conference and Retreat Center, and the event’s benefiary, Latinitas, whose non-profit programs empower young Latinas using media and technology.

Mom's will be exposed to dozens of workshops in yoga, drumming, nature photography, empowerment, healing, publishing, capoeira, music-making and more.

Suzanna Choffel and the Djembabes will perform.
There will be on-site massage picnicking, food venders, silent auction, sports and 22 acres of hiking.

This is the greatest gift to your Momma, other than yourself.

This is an event not just for Mothers, but for Women all around the World.

Admission is $20 per vehicle

Purchase your tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/109794

Community Outreach- 1st Annual Sacred Springs Powwow & Indian Market

1st Annual Sacred Springs Powwow & Indian Market

WHEN: Saturday, May 1, 2010 – 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM
WHERE: Aquarena Center, 921 Aquarena Springs Dr., San Marcos, Texas
WHO: Featuring Keetoowah Cherokee champion dancer David Hoskins as Head Man Dancer.
COST: FREE to the Public
HOST HOTEL: San Marcos River Inn, 1433 IH-35 North, San Marcos, TX, (512) 353-7770
CONTACT: For more information contact Maria Rocha, (512) 393-3310
ATM: Automatic Teller Machine services will be available onsite at the event.
PARKING & SHUTTLE: Visitor parking located across the street from Aquarena Center entrance in Texas State Lot #9 and Shuttle will be available from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. More details, click here.

Download Map & Directions to POWWOW (PDF)
Volunteer Application
Download Press Release (PDF)

San Marcos’ sacred springs reawaken when over one hundred Native American powwow dancers and participants arrive for the much anticipated 1st Annual Sacred Springs Powwow & Indian Market, held on Saturday, May 1, 2010, from 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM at Aquarena Center, 921 Aquarena Springs Drive, San Marcos, Texas. The event is sponsored by a local Native American nonprofit organization, Indigenous Cultures Institute, with support from Hays County, the City of San Marcos, San Marcos Arts Commission, Texas State University, and CenturyLink.

“The Sacred Springs area is one of the oldest inhabited sites in North America and Native people believe it’s one of three creation sites where we originated,” says Dr. Mario Garza, board chair of the institute. “Over the next several years, this event – held in honor of our ancestors – will bring together hundreds of Native people not only from the United States, but from all of the Americas.” Garza refers to the institute’s plans for a heritage festival to be added to the powwow slated for 2011.

Activities will begin at 10:00 AM with a blessing at the Sacred Springs. The powwow will feature Keetoowah Cherokee champion dancer David Hoskins as Head Man Dancer, Comanche renowned traditional singer Lance Tahchawwickah as Head Southern singer, and Texas-famed Eagle Point as the Northern Drum.

A major Indian Market will be held in conjunction with the powwow, offering the largest gathering of Native American arts, crafts, and food vendors ever assembled in San Marcos. Food booths will offer the ever popular Native fry bread tacos, healthy buffalo burgers, roasted corn, turkey legs, chicken shish kabobs, and a variety of sweets like kettle corn, funnel cake, and snow cones. Arts and crafts will include a large selection ranging from Southwest jewelry, pottery, moccasins, Native dolls, stone oil lamps, breast plates and other relic replicas, to fine art paintings, weavings, and sculptures.

At 5:00 PM, Dallas Aztec dance company Cuicani In Xochitl will make a special guest appearance in honor of this first powwow. Famous for their dynamic and physically demanding dance movements and their spectacular regalia, this dance group guarantees a dazzling finale to the indigenous festivities.

Indigenous Cultures Institute organized the local Native community to provide education and information about Native Americans, particularly from this area, southern Texas, and northern Mexico. Their first major event in San Marcos, “Songs of the Seven Directions,” was held at the Aquarena Center’s Earth Day Celebration in April 2009. They have since produced several Native functions including “Eagle and Condor” dance exhibition, “Hispanic’s Indigenous Identity” lecture series, “Tracing Indigenous Ancestry” genealogy workshop, and the “Seven Directions Art Exhibit – celebrating Native American culture.”

Community Outreach- Festival Beach Community Garden Dig In, Saturday 04/17

The folks at Festival Beach Community Garden are hosting a Community Garden Volunteer Dig In! this Saturday, April 17 from 10:00AM to 1:00PM. Below is a copy of the volunteer press release- DIG IT!

Attention Gardeners: Get Ready to Get Dirty!

New Eastside Community Garden at Festival Beach is opening on Saturday, April 17th

Located at Waller Street & Clermont Streets, across from the park at Festival Beach.

Want to participate? We need neighbors to join us Saturday for:

ORIENTATION FOR NEW GARDENERS: 9:00 – 10:00 am
Rent your own plot and plant your garden ($30 per year, with scholarships available).

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER “WORKDAY”: 10:00 – 1:00 pm
Help us “dig-in” and establish our new garden site.

We also invite you to:
MONTHLY PLANNING MEETINGS: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
4th Wednesdays of each month at Terrazas Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St.

THE NEW GARDEN WILL HAVE AVAILABLE:
¤ 80 member plots (10′ x 20′) ¤ some raised beds
¤ fruit orchard, berries & grapes ¤ herbs & nopalitos
¤ covered picnic area ¤ tool shed with tools
¤ irrigation system ¤ compost & mulch storage

For more information, contact: Kaela Champlin, (512) 567-0740 or Edie Cassell, festivalbeachgarden[at]gmail.com

PRFDance Performance: Taino Areyto for Kalpulli Tlalteca, April 18, 2010, 1-2pm

Saludos!

Alma de Mujer wanted to highlight a beautiful and symbolic event coming this weekend, hosted by the vibrant Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center dance troupe. We hope you can attend this special event!

Taino Areyto for Kalpulli Tlalteca, April 18, 2010, 1-2pm

The first "Puerto Rican" born on our beautiful island was a baby of a Taina mother and Spaniard father. On April 18, the Kalpulli Tlalteca of Mesoamerica will be travelling to Austin -- 14 hours -- to bring a gift of original corn harvest to the children of the Taino of Boriken. With the greatest honor and respect, we will offer an Areyto, a ceremonial dance, as a gift in return. We invite all who feel a calling, to bring their maracas and join us in this once in a lifetime event, which takes place at our Cultural Center, 701 Tillery St. Austin TX 78702. Here is the beautiful history behind it.

Around 7000 years ago, the native peoples of Mesoamerica bred the first corn they called "teozintli" from indigenous grass. Over time, corn made its pilgrimage into North America, to Florida, and from there to the Taino who called it "maisi" (maiz). The Spanish conquistadors brought the name maiz to Mexico, as corn is most commonly called today.

During this special event, the Kalpulli Tlalteca people of Mesoamerica complete a three year journey they have made to complete the circle -- and fulfill a prophesy -- in the return of the original maiz to the Taino people. With the greatest honor and respect, we the children of the Taino of Boriken will accept this gift and bring it home so that it can be planted on sacred land to "continue" the circle.

Plant Walk w/ Nicole Telkes 4/24

Nature Plant Walk
with Nicole Telkes from the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine
April 24, 2010 10:30AM-12:00PM

Herbalist and Healer Nicole Telkes from the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine will lead a plant walk at Alma de Mujer. Adults and children are welcome! Please consider giving a $5 - $25 donation.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Nature Walk
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Potluck Lunch

To register, RSVP with Maribel at almaprograms @ gmail.com

FROM THE WEB: Former Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller dies

Wilma Mankiller (November 18, 1945 — April 6, 2010)

Wilma Mankiller, Native feminist and former Cherokee Nation chief, has gone to the spirit world today. Here are a few article links related to her life and passing:

Breaking News: Former Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller Dies courtesy of the Cherokee Phoenix

Feminist Intersection: Wilma Mankiller has gone to the spirit world courtesy of Bitch Magazine

Wilma Mankiller, first woman to lead Cherokee, dies at 64 courtesy of CNN

Volunteer Outdoor Work Day!

Volunteer Outdoor Workday at Alma

Come join us for an Outdoor Work Day to beautify the land in thanks of Spring!

Saturday, April 10, 2010 10AM - 2PM

Bring your water, sunscreen, and work gloves! We will also be in need of several weed wackers and other larger garden tools, so if any volunteers can bring these items, we and the land will be grateful!

Questions? Contact Maribel at almaprograms @ gmail.com

Reiki Master Ines Godoy Marin now at Alma de Mujer

Reiki Master Ines Godoy Marin is now offering Reiki treatment sessions at the healing studio here at Alma de Mujer for the month of April.

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese name consisting of 2 words "rei" and "ki" meaning spiritually guided life energy (commonly known as Universal Life Energy), an energy which animates us all and is found all around us. Reiki harmonizes the body, mind and spirit by channeling the energy that surrounds us to cure the physical, emotional, and mental levels of the body. There is no belief system attached to Reiki, so anyone can receive a Reiki treatment or attunement.

Reiki:
* Promotes natural self-healing
* Balances the energies in the body
* Strengthens the immune system
* Treats symptoms and causes of illness
* Relieves pain
* Clears toxins
* Adapts to the natural needs of the receiver
* Enhances personal awareness
* Relaxes and reduces stress
* Promotes creativity
* Releases blocked and suppressed feelings
* Aids meditation and positive thinking

For an appointment, call:
Reiki Master Ines Godoy Marin
512.560.6525
imarin @ austin.rr.com

Alma de Mujer now on Facebook!

Hola Everyone,

We at Alma de Mujer have been busy reinventing our identity on the web, and we're letting you know that we now have a presence on Facebook. Please become a fan of our Facebook page: Alma de Mujer Center for Social Change and get updated about our upcoming events, workshops, and other wonderful programming we at Alma are so excited to host and participate in.

Photos from the Medicine Wheel Garden Blessing from Sunday March 21, 2010 are on Facebook, and if you have any images from this or past events you would like to share, please post them on Facebook! We are excited to have a presence in the Facebook community, and we look forward to seeing our Alma family become fans of our page.

Con Cariño,
Alma de Mujer Center for Social Change

P.S.
With Spring here, Alma de Mujer has many projects we're looking forward to getting started, and we would love to have your support. Please take the time to donate to our Paypal! Muchos Gracias y Amor!

Alma de Mujer Medicine Wheel Garden Blessing & Spring Equinox Celebration

You are invited!

Sunday, March 21, 2010 4:00 p.m.
Alma de Mujer Medicine Wheel Garden Blessing & Spring Equinox Celebration

Please join us in Marsha's Garden for the Alma de Mujer Medicine Wheel Garden Blessing, where we will bless the seeds, shoots, and tender plants while rejoicing in life and creation. Come and plant seeds of love, peace and joy into our hearts and the heart of Mother Earth.

Sunday, March 21, 2010 4:00 p.m.
Please bring your drum, flute or rattle and some food to share in community.



On Vernal Equinox, the cosmic scales are balanced in perfect equilibrium: equal day, equal night. With bone cold winter behind, we celebrate the life force, rejoicing in a fresh, clear, bright spring day. Tender stems and shoots push through the fertile soil, buds explode, and the Egg of Spring hatches a living creation! Eostre, Goddess of the divine fertile female, calls to the spirit of youth in each woman, man and child.

-We'Moon Calendar 2010

Alma de Mujer Spring Break Graduate Writing Camp 2010

Alma de Mujer is excited to announce our Graduate student Spring Break Writing Camp for 2010. Sisters in diverse disciplines come together in solidarity and support as we work on research and writing in the serene environment of Alma! The camp is open to women in all fields and programs who are in the advanced stages of their thesis or dissertation work.

Spring Break Writing Camp 2010 March 14 - March 18, 2010 Alma de Mujer offers a quiet and empowering space for Sisters to support each other around graduate work. Days are spent sharing, writing, cooking, and healing in a safe and loving space. Cabin lodging per night: $40 Meals per day:$20 Total cost per day: $60 ** ** Please do not let cost be a reason for not attending! Cost can be worked out in a barter exchange on a case by case basis. Attendees for the 2009 camp: Maribel, Marina, Yolanda, Stephanie, y Luz.

Please contact Maribel A. Garza for more information and to register for the camp: Alma de Mujer Center for Social Change 13621 FM 2769 Austin, TX 78726 512-258-3880 almaprograms@gmail.com Sincerely, Alma de Mujer Indigenous Women's Network This project is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art. Alma de Mujer is funded in part by: Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation